KR rules out pay cut: "I'm too young for that"

I'd like to keep Rudy around.  But I really don't see what he offers that we can't get from Man-Bun (if he had more opportunities).  Granted, Morgan might not have the hands that Rudy has, but he's just as "quick" (relative term) and equal (in ability) in YAC.  But Rudy is a good guy and has been pretty reliable.  If they can't lock him down to an extension, then I'd prefer to let it all play out next season... and see what kind of FA offers he gets.  I don't think it will be in the same range as he's being paid now.  So... maybe... we can re-sign him in 2020 for a lower number?

This makes me laugh. Nobody in the league is going to want Rudolph at $7.5 million for 2019, including the Vikings. Its why he won't be traded and hasn't been traded. I think Rudolph is one small notch above average and definitely not worth keeping if Minnesota has need for more cap room. He's no difference maker. But if the team can keep him and it doesn't cause any other financial hardships for 2019, great...keep him then. I like the guy. But....don't extend the guy. They just spent a #2 pick on a TE.

I think the Vikings' thought is to pay him for 2019, but not extend him. Especially if Smith looks like a player at TE.

I would offer him a deal with player outs that makes his hit for this and any coming years around 3.5 million per and offer incentives to make it back up to around the 7.5 he is due now.  if he is still relied on like a first tier weapon,  then pay him like one,  but if his role is going to be reduced anyway... move on from him now.   hell offer to pay 2-3 million of his salary in exchange for a 3rd or 4th round pick?

Rudy has a point. The pay cut thing doesn't sync very well. Guy's 29 years old and while there were legit arguments about his proneness to injury early on, he's quietly played 16 games in 4 straight seasons, and if I'm remembering this right, has caught more TDs over that period than any TE in the NFL (that includes Gronk, Kelce, Irtz, etc). He's at least a couple years away from age-related decline. 

What's more, if we're going to run as many 2-tight sets as everyone seems to think, kicking Rudy to the curb means we're banking a helluva lot on a rookie to start and produce at a position where rookies almost never do. Further complicating matters is the fact that we have no obvious WR3 candidate who can pick up that slack if Irv, Morgan and Conklin can't. 

Don't extend him, but pay Rudy one more year. Find the money somewhere else. 

I think someone already pointed out that Rudy's had his numbers limited by having to help our tragic o-line much of the time...so he likely feels like he's earned his money and wants to prove what he can do if freed up to actually catch passes instead of being a third offensive tackle.

I can totally understand that, but it also means that if he DOES get a chance to shine this season...he'd best be blinding.  If he is, then yeah, I hope he plays his whole career here.

@"pumpf" said: I'd like to keep Rudy around.  But I really don't see what he offers that we can't get from Man-Bun (if he had more opportunities).  Granted, Morgan might not have the hands that Rudy has, but he's just as "quick" (relative term) and equal (in ability) in YAC.  But Rudy is a good guy and has been pretty reliable.  If they can't lock him down to an extension, then I'd prefer to let it all play out next season... and see what kind of FA offers he gets.  I don't think it will be in the same range as he's being paid now.  So... maybe... we can re-sign him in 2020 for a lower number?

Really? Morgan has been targeted 19 times in the past three seasons - TOTAL, not per year. Rudolph has been targeted 295 in the same period. So if Morgan looked effective on one of his 16 career catches, it's probably because opposing teams ignore him. His testing numbers never suggested even moderate quickness. Morgan is an excellent blocker and valuable in that role, but If he is targeted 5 times a game like Rudolph, I think he will look like an offensive lineman trying to play TE.

@"Zanary" said: I think someone already pointed out that Rudy's had his numbers limited by having to help our tragic o-line much of the time...so he likely feels like he's earned his money and wants to prove what he can do if freed up to actually catch passes instead of being a third offensive tackle.

I can totally understand that, but it also means that if he DOES get a chance to shine this season...he'd best be blinding.  If he is, then yeah, I hope he plays his whole career here.

He is the Viking man of the year candidate, does tons of charity work locally and as MB points out, been putting up league leading stats while helping block for the shit pile of an o-line.  Yeah, I wouldn't think of a paycut either.

These guys that sign big extensions, should know by now that the last year or 2 of a deal when the guarantees are exhausted, are more or less funny money. Like it or not that’s the way they write those deals. I like Rudy & he’s a great guy & all, but he’s simply not worth top 5 TE money.
Rudy has pulled down $34,720,098 prior to this season, I hope he can get by on a slightly lower salary.

@"Kentis" said: These guys that sign big extensions, should know by now that the last year or 2 of a deal when the guarantees are exhausted, are more or less funny money. Like it or not that’s the way they write those deals. I like Rudy & he’s a great guy & all, but he’s simply not worth top 5 TE money. Rudy has pulled down $34,720,098 prior to this season, I hope he can get by on a slightly lower salary.

@"suncoastvike" said:

@"Kentis" said: These guys that sign big extensions, should know by now that the last year or 2 of a deal when the guarantees are exhausted, are more or less funny money. Like it or not that’s the way they write those deals. I like Rudy & he’s a great guy & all, but he’s simply not worth top 5 TE money. Rudy has pulled down $34,720,098 prior to this season, I hope he can get by on a slightly lower salary.

Hate to beat a dead horse but Treadwell has brought down something like $8.5 million in 3 years. Rudy's money seems like alot till you compare what was actually earned.

Ok so I did this a couple days ago. Google NFL TE rankings. You with find Rudy's name in every top 10 ranking. Go back over the last 4 seasons. Top ten ranking not twice not three times. ALL 4 years top 10 ranking. Usually in the 6-9 range. But top 10 none the least. With how the position has been skewed by what are big WR's calling themselves TE's. He's right there stat wise. Yet his body of work says he should not be paid in the top 5 for that level of consistency and durability. Somebody's going to get a hell of a player. I will lose one of my favorites on this team. The late  Doris Day once said. "Que Sera Sera".

@"suncoastvike" said:

@"Kentis" said: These guys that sign big extensions, should know by now that the last year or 2 of a deal when the guarantees are exhausted, are more or less funny money. Like it or not that’s the way they write those deals. I like Rudy & he’s a great guy & all, but he’s simply not worth top 5 TE money. Rudy has pulled down $34,720,098 prior to this season, I hope he can get by on a slightly lower salary.

Hate to beat a dead horse but Treadwell has brought down something like $8.5 million in 3 years. Rudy's money seems like alot till you compare what was actually earned.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"suncoastvike" said:

@"Kentis" said: These guys that sign big extensions, should know by now that the last year or 2 of a deal when the guarantees are exhausted, are more or less funny money. Like it or not that’s the way they write those deals. I like Rudy & he’s a great guy & all, but he’s simply not worth top 5 TE money. Rudy has pulled down $34,720,098 prior to this season, I hope he can get by on a slightly lower salary.

Hate to beat a dead horse but Treadwell has brought down something like $8.5 million in 3 years. Rudy's money seems like alot till you compare what was actually earned.

per pff,  not that I put a lot of stock in their shit... but to some it gold. 

Kyle Rudolph in 2018

Out of 41 TEs with >29 targets:
27th overall grade
22nd receiving grade

Out of 81 TEs with >107 snaps:
58th pass block grade
59th rum block grade

as far as the Treadwell comparison... lot less money for Treadwell,  and not a huge difference in how they are used and their production based on opportunities.  Rudy is not a top tier offensive threat at TE so really its not really about what he has done,  its how much more has he done than a guy that would work for half his salary.  I dont see a huge drop off without him on the field.  Maybe I am wrong.  I am sure we will find out.

Honestly,  with Diggs and AT being the 1 and 2 on every play,  that really doesnt leave a lot of chances for a #3 receiver or a TE,  especially with Cook out of the back field.

@"suncoastvike" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"suncoastvike" said:

@"Kentis" said: These guys that sign big extensions, should know by now that the last year or 2 of a deal when the guarantees are exhausted, are more or less funny money. Like it or not that’s the way they write those deals. I like Rudy & he’s a great guy & all, but he’s simply not worth top 5 TE money. Rudy has pulled down $34,720,098 prior to this season, I hope he can get by on a slightly lower salary.

Hate to beat a dead horse but Treadwell has brought down something like $8.5 million in 3 years. Rudy's money seems like alot till you compare what was actually earned.

per pff,  not that I put a lot of stock in their shit... but to some it gold. 

Kyle Rudolph in 2018

Out of 41 TEs with >29 targets:
27th overall grade
22nd receiving grade

Out of 81 TEs with >107 snaps:
58th pass block grade
59th rum block grade

as far as the Treadwell comparison... lot less money for Treadwell,  and not a huge difference in how they are used and their production based on opportunities.  Rudy is not a top tier offensive threat at TE so really its not really about what he has done,  its how much more has he done than a guy that would work for half his salary.  I dont see a huge drop off without him on the field.  Maybe I am wrong.  I am sure we will find out.

Honestly,  with Diggs and AT being the 1 and 2 on every play,  that really doesnt leave a lot of chances for a #3 receiver or a TE,  especially with Cook out of the back field.

Ok so Treadwell being a busted 1st rounder was a poor comparison. You are telling me this PFF thing I spend no time looking at has a magic formula that makes all those 1st downs Rudy gets for us null and void? I go by writers ranking before this PFF thing I don't get. That and my own freaking eyeballs...and admittedly to much of my heart. I'll deal with it when he's gone.

@"suncoastvike" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"suncoastvike" said:

@"Kentis" said: These guys that sign big extensions, should know by now that the last year or 2 of a deal when the guarantees are exhausted, are more or less funny money. Like it or not that’s the way they write those deals. I like Rudy & he’s a great guy & all, but he’s simply not worth top 5 TE money. Rudy has pulled down $34,720,098 prior to this season, I hope he can get by on a slightly lower salary.

Hate to beat a dead horse but Treadwell has brought down something like $8.5 million in 3 years. Rudy's money seems like alot till you compare what was actually earned.

per pff,  not that I put a lot of stock in their shit... but to some it gold. 

Kyle Rudolph in 2018

Out of 41 TEs with >29 targets:
27th overall grade
22nd receiving grade

Out of 81 TEs with >107 snaps:
58th pass block grade
59th rum block grade

as far as the Treadwell comparison... lot less money for Treadwell,  and not a huge difference in how they are used and their production based on opportunities.  Rudy is not a top tier offensive threat at TE so really its not really about what he has done,  its how much more has he done than a guy that would work for half his salary.  I dont see a huge drop off without him on the field.  Maybe I am wrong.  I am sure we will find out.

Honestly,  with Diggs and AT being the 1 and 2 on every play,  that really doesnt leave a lot of chances for a #3 receiver or a TE,  especially with Cook out of the back field.

Ok so Treadwell being a busted 1st rounder was a poor comparison. You are telling me this PFF thing I spend no time looking at has a magic formula that makes all those 1st downs Rudy gets for us null and void? I go by writers ranking before this PFF thing I don't get. That and my own freaking eyeballs...and admittedly to much of my heart. I'll deal with it when he's gone.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"suncoastvike" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"suncoastvike" said:

@"Kentis" said: These guys that sign big extensions, should know by now that the last year or 2 of a deal when the guarantees are exhausted, are more or less funny money. Like it or not that’s the way they write those deals. I like Rudy & he’s a great guy & all, but he’s simply not worth top 5 TE money. Rudy has pulled down $34,720,098 prior to this season, I hope he can get by on a slightly lower salary.

Hate to beat a dead horse but Treadwell has brought down something like $8.5 million in 3 years. Rudy's money seems like alot till you compare what was actually earned.

per pff,  not that I put a lot of stock in their shit... but to some it gold. 

Kyle Rudolph in 2018

Out of 41 TEs with >29 targets:
27th overall grade
22nd receiving grade

Out of 81 TEs with >107 snaps:
58th pass block grade
59th rum block grade

as far as the Treadwell comparison... lot less money for Treadwell,  and not a huge difference in how they are used and their production based on opportunities.  Rudy is not a top tier offensive threat at TE so really its not really about what he has done,  its how much more has he done than a guy that would work for half his salary.  I dont see a huge drop off without him on the field.  Maybe I am wrong.  I am sure we will find out.

Honestly,  with Diggs and AT being the 1 and 2 on every play,  that really doesnt leave a lot of chances for a #3 receiver or a TE,  especially with Cook out of the back field.

Ok so Treadwell being a busted 1st rounder was a poor comparison. You are telling me this PFF thing I spend no time looking at has a magic formula that makes all those 1st downs Rudy gets for us null and void? I go by writers ranking before this PFF thing I don't get. That and my own freaking eyeballs...and admittedly to much of my heart. I'll deal with it when he's gone.

nope.... i dindnt tell you anything,  I prefaced it all by saying i dont put much weight in their rankings,  but it was interesting to find that they had ranked as low as they do at a time when he is trying to get paid like a guy much much much higher.

My bottom line on this is like Maroon says. Just pay him this year. Don't have to extend him. Play out the deal get a few million somewhere else. We are going to be right at the cap regardless. I know you'd like a few million to play with in case. I still see him as our 3rd best receiving option. Makes the 3rd best pay. Seems to fit. Those just in case scenarios could well be one of those other 2 get hurt. Maybe this new TE is much like Rudy was early in his career till he learned what needs to be done to make it through 16 games. If we are counting on Cook and the new guy. These a BIG ? to me if... Why must we sacrifice one of our leaders on offense while leaving the defense untouchable. 
Maybe this team needs to trust in what leadership can mean.

Shouldn't that be "I'm too productive for a pay cut"?

@"suncoastvike" said: My bottom line on this is like Maroon says. Just pay him this year. Don't have to extend him. Play out the deal get a few million somewhere else. We are going to be right at the cap regardless. I know you'd like a few million to play with in case. I still see him as our 3rd best receiving option. Makes the 3rd best pay. Seems to fit. Those just in case scenarios could well be one of those other 2 get hurt. Maybe this new TE is much like Rudy was early in his career till he learned what needs to be done to make it through 16 games. If we are counting on Cook and the new guy. These a BIG ? to me if... Why must we sacrifice one of our leaders on offense while leaving the defense untouchable.  Maybe this team needs to trust in what leadership can mean.

@"Kentis" said:

@"suncoastvike" said: My bottom line on this is like Maroon says. Just pay him this year. Don't have to extend him. Play out the deal get a few million somewhere else. We are going to be right at the cap regardless. I know you'd like a few million to play with in case. I still see him as our 3rd best receiving option. Makes the 3rd best pay. Seems to fit. Those just in case scenarios could well be one of those other 2 get hurt. Maybe this new TE is much like Rudy was early in his career till he learned what needs to be done to make it through 16 games. If we are counting on Cook and the new guy. These a BIG ? to me if... Why must we sacrifice one of our leaders on offense while leaving the defense untouchable.  Maybe this team needs to trust in what leadership can mean.

He may not even show up w/o any guaranteed salary, an injury would be catastrophic to him...